A mute boy is trapped in his apartment with a sinister monster when he makes a wish to fulfill his heart's greatest desire.

A night of unimaginable terror awaits twelve-year-old, Bobby, and his best friend, Kevin, when they are abducted on their way home from school.　　Managing to escape his confines, Bobby navigates the dark halls, praying his presence goes unnoticed as he avoids his captor at every turn. Even worse is the arrival of another deranged stranger, whose mysterious arrangement with the kidnapper may spell certain doom for Kevin.　　With no means of calling for help and miles of dark country in every direction, Bobby approaches a difficult crossroad take his chances in the fields, or find a means to free his friend. Unable to leave Kevin behind, Bobby embarks on a rescue mission, determined to get them both out alive… or die trying.

小镇沉闷的空气令受过高等教育的Charlie（Teresa Wright）十分压抑，她渴望在外谋大事、自己喜爱和崇敬的Uncle Charlie（Joseph Cotten）能突然出现，为自己的生活注入一缕新风。Charlie欲发电报邀请舅舅来做客时，竟先收到他发来的要来的报文，惊喜之外，她对舅舅的爱又加深一层。　　Uncle Charlie的到来令Charlie及父母非常兴奋，但酷爱读书的妹妹无动于衷。不久Charlie如沐春风变作无忧无虑的少女。两个自称报社记者的陌生人有心将Charlie一家当作典型美国家庭采访，Uncle Charlie为此事大发雷霆相当失态，令Charlie和母亲大为不解。而同其中之一Herbie Hawkins（Hume Cronyn）交谈中，Charlie震惊地听闻有关舅舅的骇人秘密。